The Pubs of Oxford

As the prospect of a sunny weekend in June looms over Oxford city, many students, residents and visitors alike will be turning their thoughts to the Great British institution that is the pub.
Oxford is of course, a city synonymous with academics and academics are of course synonymous with drinking, so much so that Cambridge professor of history Gillian Evans terms drinking as 'the civilized accompaniment to the business of academia'.
Indeed prompted by the presence of the university Oxford has developed a famous pub scene and many of the city's most iconic residents and visitors over the ages have marked the pages of pub lore - The Inklings writers group which boasted J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis amongst it's ranks regularly convened in the Eagle and Child public house and it was in the beer garden of the labyrinthine Turf Tavern that former-U.S. President Bill Clinton infamously 'did not inhale'.

Whether or not one is partial to a pint, no visit to Oxford would be complete without soaking up the atmosphere in one of it's historic ale houses. Each Tuesday our students are offered the opportunity to spend an enjoyable evening on the OISE Oxford pub crawl, and after a day of intensive study, who could possibly begrudge them some mid-week relief?

What to eat when it's hot hot hot..?

When the weather is hot, there are certain recipes that just won't do. For starters, you can forget (hot) soups, stews and Sunday roasts. What you want is some jamon serrano over cold honeydew melon, or chorizo with bread and freshly whizzed gazpacho. And of course BBQs, lots of BBQs!

While the English aren't famed for their culinary abilities, we do still have a few tasty numbers up our sleeves. Here are a few summer recipes that some of Britain's top chefs have created:

1 - Lemon and herb marinated salmon skewers:

This marinated salmon recipe is a fantastic way to barbecue salmon in the summer. Salmon is a wonderful lighter alternative to the usual meats that grace a barbecue grill, and Marcello Tully's recipe really makes the salmon shine.

2 - Mackerel, tomato and samphire salad

This elegant mackerel salad recipe is a perfect dish to serve up as a light main or starter in the summer months. The fish in this salad is paired with tomato and samphire, with a warm mayonnaise which uses reserved tomato stock. Nathan Outlaw is known for his wonderful fish and seafood dishes and this mackerel recipe is another example.

3 - Asparagus and chervil quiche

It is a magnificent spring starter for when asparagus is in season and the inclusion of Parma ham is a classic combination. This asparagus quiche recipe would work well in a summer picnic or with a seasonal summer salad.

If you like the sound of these dishes and fancy giving them a go at home, click on the image below for their full ingredients and guidance on how to make them!